Phillies Fail to Clinch at Home, Lose to Mets, 7-3

Sunday September 26, 2010 • Comments Off 

—Citizens Bank Park

It’s not the way they wanted things to end at home, but the Phillies did get some help in the standings. Even though the Phils lost to the Mets 7-3 in the series finale, the Atlanta Braves lost to the Washington Nationals, 4-2.

With a six game lead with six to play, any win by the Phillies, or any loss by the Braves, means the Phillies will clinch the National League East.

On the mound, Cole Hamels was working with very little from the early stages of the game. He allowed a second inning home run to David Wright, which put the Mets on top 1-0. Hamels was visibly frustrated with the strike zone of home plate umpire Mike Winters all afternoon, and for good reason. Winters was not consistent, but let’s not place all of the blame on the umpire. Hamels wasn’t sharp and he made several mistakes, including another long one to Carlos Beltran in the fifth inning.

Hamels would last only four innings – plus one batter in the fifth, which was Beltran – allowing five runs on nine hits to go with three walks and two strikeouts. The five earned runs allowed were the most for Hamels since —. His two K’s on the day were a season low for a game that was not rain shortened.

“It was just one of those days where I couldn’t locate and I wasn’t being consistent,” said Hamels after his second-shortest outing of the season. “I just threw…too many pitches out of the zone, then when I was throwing strikes I left them up.”

Sound like you can chalk it up to a great pitcher just having a bad day. Unfortunately, it came in a spot where a win would have sent the Phillies off on the road with another NL East crown. That will have to wait until at least Monday.

Chase Utley accounted for all of the Phillies offense with one swing of the stick in the fifth inning. He lined one into the first row in right field for a three-run home run, his 16th of the season. Other than his contribution, little was provided elsewhere. The Phillies did manage nine hits on the afternoon, however, they again struggled with runners in scoring position going 1-for-13.

“You can’t hit every day, that’s life,” quipped Charlie Manuel following his teams first series loss since the Houston Astros swept them in late August.

Jimmy Rollins made his return to the lineup a quick and rather uninspiring one. Rollins pinch hit for Wilson Valdez in the eighth inning, his first at bat since September 8. He swung at the first pitch and rolled it over to second base. Not exactly how he wanted to come back, but at least he’s been deemed healthy enough to play from here on out.

The home schedule didn’t end on a high note, but there were reasons to celebrate the season on Fan Appreciation Day. Over 3.6 million fans pushed through the turnstiles, an average attendance of 45,028 per game, both franchise records.

They’ll now head to the Nation’s Capital for a three game set with the Nats, who did their part to aid the Phillies this weekend. Rain is forecasted for both Monday and Tuesday, which sets up an interesting situation should any game be rained out.



Phillies NL East foes in trouble already

Thursday January 14, 2010 • 2 Comments 

We are still five weeks away from Spring Training and already the New York Mets have a case of the injury blues.

On Wednesday it was reported that Carlos Beltran underwent knee surgery and will be unable to resume baseball activities for 8-12 weeks.

If the timing of the surgery strikes you as odd, it appears the Mets feel the same way. There are varying reports on whether or not the team gave Beltran permission to have the surgery and it has been confirmed that the procedure was done by Beltran’s personal doctor. More details on the story will become available today as a conference call is scheduled between the Mets’ brass and the media.

Regardless of who approved the surgery, this is good news for the Phillies as the Mets will be without their top fielder and hitter for the first month of the season, if not more. Instead of having Beltran n the middle of the lineup they will have to make due with a combination of Angel Pagan and Fernando Martinez.

That doesn’t exactly make opposing pitchers shiver.

Of course knowing Omar Minaya, the Mets will likely try to compensate by overpaying and over-the-hill outfielder.

Johnny Damon on line one?

 While the Mets are dealing with injuries before the season even starts, the Marlins are feeling the heat from the players union for being to cheap. This shouldn’t be surprising for those who follow baseball closely as the Marlins have consistently been at the bottom of the payroll since their 2003 championship season.

The team spent just $36 million on players last season – the lowest total in baseball. However that constitutes a spending spree for a team that has spent $21.8, $30.5 and $15 million the previous three seasons.

The reason the union has gotten involved is because the Marlins spending has been so low that it has violated the revenue sharing agreement. Little has been shared about what the Marlins plan to do, but the team and the union have reached an agreement that the Marlins will increase their payroll.

So to some up, the Marlins will have to spend more money which could lead to bringing in more talented players.

Kid of a strange punishment, huh?



Need a laugh? Beltran sees Mets as contenders

Friday November 13, 2009 • 3 Comments 

Has the recent weather gotten you down? If so, here is some news that always cheers up Philly fans — The Mets being the Mets.

Carlos Beltran came out in a recent interview for the NY Daily News saying that he believes a healthy Mets team can be World Series contenders.

That’s right, not even a 91-loss season can keep the Mets from thinking they are close — or talking about it.

To Beltran’s credit, he did admit that the team needs help, particularly a big bat and a quality arm.

“I think a little help wouldn’t be bad,” said Beltran. “I do believe (management) is going to bring people that are going to help us. The Wilpons — they want to win. If they bring in a left fielder, it’d be great, another bat. If they bring a guy like Johan Santana, it’d also be great.”

The complete article can be read here: http://www.nydailynews.com/sports/baseball/mets/2009/11/12/2009-11-12_carlos_beltran.html?r=sports%2Fbaseball&utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+nydnrss%2Fsports%2Fbaseball+(Sports%2FBaseball)

So Beltran wants another Johan Santana? I want a Ferrari for Christmas but I don’t think that’s going to happen.

The Mets will certainly shake things up this winter after their worst season in a decade. They might make a run at John Lackey and are said to be interested in Matt Holiday and Chone Figgins. They may get one or two, but that will still leave holes on their roster. A couple of additions is also not likely to bring the Mets near a World Series title.

That belongs to the other team in New York — for now.